Expression-controlling device for mechanical musical instruments.



J. BREMONT.

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22. l9ll.

' 1 ,240,412; PatentedSept. 18, 1917.

nvewtom 1, H 5 Sum-m l JOSEPH BREMONT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EXPRESSION-CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR IMECHANICAL I iUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed March 22, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, Josnrr-r Bmiiron'r, a a citizen of France, esidlng at New York,

in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Expression-Controlling Devices for Mechanical Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to expression con trolling devices for mechanical musical instruments.

An object of my invention is to provide an expression or tempo controlling device for piano players of the type where a line marked on the perforated music sheets indicates different effects to be produced in playing.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tempo controlling device which is economical to manufacture and which is simpler in operation than the other means heretofore used for this purpose.

Another object of my invention is to produce a tempo controlling device which is attachable or detachable at will from the piano player and can be used to indicate the tempo on various types of music rolls. I show herein a musical instrument with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a piano player showing a perforated music sheet in position upon the tracker-board with my device attached to the instrument,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the attachment, and

Fig. 4c is an enlarged perspectivev view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

A represents the tracker-board of an ordinary piano player. B represents the rolls upon which the perforated music sheet C is wound. D represents the ordinary tempo scale on the piano player upon which the tempo is indicated by the pointer E. F represents the horizontal wooden bar upon Specification of Letters iatent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

Serial No. 1.565%.

the piano player on which the tempo scale is placed and to which is attached the de-- vice G provided with the adjustable jaws J supporting the hollow slotted rectangular member K which is preferably made integral with the jaws J. By positioning the adjustable pointer L upon the tempo indicator E, so that the indicator E has its upper end projecting into the socket L at the ower end of point L which projects through K, I am enabled to follow any tempo or expression line M marked on the music roll G. The adjustable pointer L which slides to and fro in the member K by means of a rectangular part which fits within K is provided with the angular member N and adjusting screws 0 to enable the pointer to be adapted to any make of piano player or any style of music roll. By the use of this device the player may himself mark the music roll containing no tempo or expression line in agreement with his own musical taste and may vary this tempo line at will. It is apparent that by the use of the supporting rectangular mem-' ber K which acts as a bearing for the adjustable pointer, the motion of the tempo indicator E through the circular arc of the tempo scale D is transmitted into a direct to and fro horizontal motion upon the line indicated upon the music roll. In cases where the tempo scale is not placed upon a circular are but is on a horizontal line, I am enabled to dispense with the rectangular member K and can place the adjustable pointer L directly upon the indicator E without using the guide K.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In expression controlling devices, means for carrying a pointer, said carrying means permitting said pointer to move to and fro in a horizontal line, said pointer having a socket at its lower end, and a tempo indicator consisting of a pivoted membcr, the upper end of said tempo indicator projecting within said socket, the oscillation of said pivoted member causing said pointer to reciprocate.

2. In expression controlling devices, a

horizontal hollow bar having upper and upper end fitting Within said socket, the toiOWOl superimposed slots, a pointer proand-fro oscillation of said indicator causjecting upwardly from said upper slot and ing the reciprocation of said pointer in said 10 having apart fitting snugly Within said bar.

5 bar and a projecting portion provided with 'In testimonyWhereofiI hereunto aflix my a socket projecting from said lower slot, signature. and a pivoted tempo indicator having its JOSEPH BREMONT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, 1X0. 

